Planting system for controlling seed depth and methods of use

Abstract

A system and methods for controlling the seed depth of a row planter utilizing sensed angle data from an angle sensor operably connected to a gauge wheel, the angle data corresponding to the height of the planter frame above the soil surface. The system comprises a piston assembly operably connected to a pump controlled by a processor. The processor is configured to actuate the pump based on the sensed angle data transmitted to the processor. The piston assembly configured to pivot the planter frame through and about a link assembly connected between the piston assembly and the planter frame. Methods for controlling seed depth utilizing sensed angle data from an angle sensor operably connected to a gauge wheel.

Having described the disclosed subject matter, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: 
     
         1 . A system for planting seeds, comprising:
 a row unit, comprising:
 a front plate; 
 a planter frame; 
 a gauge wheel connected to the planter frame, the gauge wheel configured to engage a surface; 
 a cutting wheel connected to the planter frame, the cutting wheel configured to form a furrow having a depth in the surface; 
 a link assembly pivotally connecting the planter frame to the front plate; 
 a piston assembly connected to the front plate, comprising:
 a pump; and 
 a piston operably connected to the pump, the piston connected to the link assembly, wherein the piston is configured to pivot the planter frame; and 
 
 an angle sensor operably connected to the gauge wheel for calculating a first distance between the planter frame and the surface; and 
   a controller having a processor, the controller being operably connected to the piston assembly and the angle sensor;   whereby the depth of the furrow is adjusted by pivoting the planter frame through actuation of the pump via the controller in response to data from the angle sensor.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 calculate an angular value corresponding to a difference between a sensed angle and a reference angle; wherein the reference angle corresponds to a predetermined depth of the furrow; and wherein the sensed angle corresponds to the first distance; and   control actuation of the pump based on the angular value.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the link assembly comprises:
 an upper link having a first length; and   a lower link having a second length; wherein the first length and the second length are approximately equal.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the lower link is connected to the piston; whereby movement of the piston rotates the planter frame about the upper link. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit angle data from the angle sensor to the controller. 
     
     
         6 . A system of  claim 1 , wherein the row unit further comprises a closing wheel connected to the planter frame. 
     
     
         7 . A system of  claim 1 , wherein the row unit further comprises a feed chute configured to dispose a plurality of seeds into the furrow. 
     
     
         8 . A system for planting seeds, comprising:
 a row unit, comprising:
 a front plate; 
 a planter frame; 
 a gauge wheel connected to the planter frame, the gauge wheel configured to engage a surface; 
 a cutting wheel connected to the planter frame, the cutting wheel configured to form a furrow having a depth in the surface; 
 a link assembly pivotally connecting the planter frame to the front plate;
 the link assembly comprising: 
 an upper link having a first length; and 
 a lower link having a second length; wherein the first length and the second length are approximately equal; 
 
 a piston assembly connected to the front plate, comprising:
 a pump; and 
 a piston operably connected to the pump, the piston connected to the link assembly, wherein the piston is configured to pivot the planter frame; and 
 
 an angle sensor operably connected to the gauge wheel for calculating a first distance between the planter frame and the surface; and 
   a controller having a processor, the controller being operably connected to the piston assembly and the angle sensor;   whereby the depth of the furrow is adjusted by pivoting the planter frame through actuation of the pump via the controller in response to data from the angle sensor.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to:
 calculate an angular value corresponding to a difference between a sensed angle and a reference angle; wherein the reference angle corresponds to a predetermined depth of the furrow; and wherein the sensed angle corresponds to the first distance; and   control actuation of the pump based on the angular value.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the lower link is connected to the piston;
 whereby movement of the piston rotates the planter frame about the upper link.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a transmitter configured to transmit angle data from the angle sensor to the controller. 
     
     
         12 . A method for adjusting a seed depth, comprising the steps of:
 providing a row unit, comprising:
 a front plate; 
 a planter frame; 
 a gauge wheel connected to the planter frame, the gauge wheel configured to engage a surface; 
 a cutting wheel connected to the planter frame, the cutting wheel configured to form a furrow having a depth in the surface; 
 a link assembly pivotally connecting the planter frame to the front plate; 
 a piston assembly connected to the front plate, comprising:
 a pump; and 
 a piston operably connected to the pump, the piston connected to the link assembly, wherein the piston is configured to pivot the planter frame; and 
 
 an angle sensor operably connected to the gauge wheel for calculating a first distance between the planter frame and the surface; and 
 a controller having a processor, the controller being operably connected to the piston assembly and the angle sensor; 
   calculating by the processor an angular value corresponding to a difference between a sensed angle and a reference angle; wherein the reference angle corresponds to a predetermined depth of the furrow; and wherein the sensed angle corresponds to the first distance; and   controlling actuation of the pump based on the angular value; whereby the depth of the furrow is adjusted through movement of the cutting wheel by pivoting the planter frame about the link assembly.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of moving the row unit across the surface. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of depositing a plurality of seeds within the furrow. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the row unit further comprises a closing wheel configured to urge soil into the furrow. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of urging soil into the furrow after the depositing step. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of transmitting angle data from the angle sensor to the controller having a processor. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the link assembly further comprises: an upper link pivotally connected to the front plate and the planter frame; and a lower link pivotally connected to the piston and the planter frame. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the step of controlling movement of the piston by the processor based on angle data generated by the angle sensor. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the step of adjusting the cutting wheel either upwardly or downwardly through movement of the lower link.